A new year is a chance to refocus, relax, or lean into something new you’ve been wanting to try. When you’re looking for a picture-perfect place to make a brand-new beginning to remember, traveling to Palm Springs should definitely be your New Year’s resolution! Here, you can easily pair luxury and fun with plenty of relaxation in the mix as well. Whether you only have a few days to spare or you’re lucky enough to be able to plan an extended stay in January, celebrating New Year’s in Palm Springs promises to be truly unforgettable.
You Can Look Forward to a Sun-Soaked New Year’s Ahead
While there are certainly many reasons to travel to Palm Springs at New Year’s, the real beauty of a trip this way for many travelers is the sun-soaked experience they can look forward to enjoying. Palm Springs is a place that provides locals and visitors alike with over 300 days of sunshine annually. In January, this sunshine is matched with daily highs in the 70s, which is perfect for inspiring as much time as possible in the great outdoors. Whether you can’t wait to lounge poolside or you’re excited to head out and see everything the city has to offer, New Year’s is the ideal time to make the most of it all under blue skies.
Enjoy the Very Best of Outdoor Adventures in Palm Springs This New Year’s
When you want the beginning of your new year to be marked by time outdoors immersed in beautiful surroundings, Palm Springs has it covered. Here, you can make the most of a refreshing and restorative New Year’s Day hike through scenic Indian Canyons or Tahquitz Canyon, too. Both feature fantastic desert landscapes to admire, and depending on where you trek, you might find yourself face-to-face with a gorgeous waterfall or two as well.
A New Year’s trip to Palm Springs also offers a great opportunity to experience the beauty of the Coachella Valley Preserve. If you’re more in the mood to get up close to desert flora and rare cacti, you can’t go wrong with a New Year’s visit to the Stroll Moorten Botanical Garden during your stay.
Make It a Family-Friendly New Year’s Experience in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a place that’s just as suitable for solo travelers and couples over New Year’s as it is for groups of friends heading off to celebrate together in style. Of course, if you’re planning a family-friendly New Year’s in Palm Springs, the opportunities for fun here are equally appealing!
When your New Year’s getaway in this direction is happening with travelers of all ages, you would be well-served to plan for time at the nearby Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The mild weather this time of year also makes it easy to add a guided horseback riding adventure along desert trails when you want to enjoy a unique form of sightseeing.
Yet another wonderful activity to try when you’re heading to Palm Springs at New Year’s with the family is a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. As you ascend to over 8,500 feet in the air, you’ll find that the ride to the summit of Mount San Jacinto is breathtaking and well worth having your camera ready for along the way.
Be a Part of Exciting New Year’s Events
Year-round, Palm Springs hosts a variety of incredible events, festivals, and gatherings for locals and visitors to enjoy. When you’re traveling to Palm Springs as part of your New Year’s resolution, you’ll find you’re right on time to participate in some of the fan-favorite moments in town.
From January 2 to January 12, 2026, the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will once again take place. This star-studded event includes a variety of fantastic screenings and luxe gatherings, dinners, and panels hosted under the desert sky that are sure to inspire.
If you’re heading to Palm Springs at New Year’s and have a passion for golf, you’ll want to stick around for a while. That’s because the always highly anticipated American Express Tournament will be hitting the tees at PGA West from January 19-25, 2026.
Book Your New Year’s Palm Springs Getaway in Style
Now is an amazing time to begin turning your New Year’s travel plans to Palm Springs into the reality you deserve. When you do, Ryson Vacations will be here to help you get settled into the luxury rental property in Palm Springs that will have you feeling right at home!
Reach out today to learn more about our exciting and inviting portfolio of local property options to pick from, and how our team can help you tailor the details of your New Year’s stay to match your travel style. We look forward to helping you create a celebration in Southern California you won’t soon forget, and we can’t wait to see you in Palm Springs soon.
Travelers who make their way to Palm Springs, California any time of year can always look forward to a fashionable and scenic stay. That said, when you’re lucky enough to head this way over Thanksgiving in the name of holiday vacation fun, you’ll enjoy access to a robust lineup of delicious moments and opportunities as well! When it’s time to put the finishing touches on your tasty California adventure this November, the following are a few places you’ll definitely want to consider having Thanksgiving dinner in Palm Springs.
Make a Reservation at LG’s Prime Steakhouse
If you’re willing to swap out traditional turkey for USDA prime steaks, making a Thanksgiving reservation at LG’s Prime Steakhouse in Palm Springs this year is a must. Located at 255 S. Palm Canyon Drive in the Vineyard Shopping Center, this eatery is right in the heart of town and a great place to enjoy delicious menu options in a welcoming and comfortable setting over the holidays. Pick and choose from indoor or outdoor dining options, and before you even browse the main menu, you’re definitely going to want to scour the cocktail list.
While it’s hard to imagine anything more refreshing than a classic steak savored on an open-air patio alongside family and friends, in years past, this specific destination has also been known to showcase a specialty Thanksgiving menu for guests with more traditional options included, too. If you do decide to stick to their robust menu during your visit, you can enjoy selections like T-Bone, prime medallions & grilled jumbo shrimp, lump crab meat, grilled shrimp pasta, and portobello mushroom ravioli, to name a few of many delicious choices. From their extensive global wine list to dessert options like cheesecake, truffle chocolate cake, and baked apple pie, an evening out at LG’s Prime Steakhouse this Thanksgiving in Palm Springs is sure to satisfy.
Dine at Grand Central Palm Springs This Thanksgiving
For travelers who are looking for a more eclectic take on Thanksgiving aesthetics in Palm Springs, dining at the Grand Central Palm Springs promises to impress. You’ll find this one-of-a-kind restaurant located at 160 La Plaza, with food service typically offered daily between 7:30 am and 9:00 pm. To enjoy the Thanksgiving menu here, you’ll definitely want to make reservations early so you can take advantage of the amazing menu, friendly service, and undeniably California-inspired fare paired with delicious drinks. Each year, the holiday menu is specialized but in years past, patrons have been able to enjoy selections like NY strip steak, pumpkin ravioli, citrus butter salmon, and herb-roasted turkey. Things often get settled on a sweet note here as well, with desserts like three-chocolate mousse cake working as the final, flavorful act, and ensuring your dinner is extra memorable.
Savor Every Moment at Copley’s on Palm Canyon
Celebrity history is integral to the story of Palm Springs, and when you travel this way over Thanksgiving, you can combine the two at Copley’s On Palm Canyon. Located at 621 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Copley’s on Palm Canyon is an elegant and romantic place to settle in for Thanksgiving dinner in Palm Springs, in a space that’s part of the former Cary Grant Estate. You’ll need a reservation to enjoy dining at his upscale eatery in Palm Springs, but the chef-driven menu and stunning mountain views make the effort worth your while. Typically, a Thanksgiving menu here showcases options like braised Berkshire pork belly, herb-roasted turkey, and opportunities to top it all off with pumpkin pie. Show up early for Happy Hour, and you can truly take advantage of access to the restaurant’s three incredible patios, showcasing breathtaking views at every turn.
Book Accommodations with Options for In-Home Dining This Holiday
While opportunities to head out and enjoy restaurant dining abound in Palm Springs over Thanksgiving, guests who are traveling this way and looking to carry family-favorite meal traditions with them can do just that in rentals with fully equipped kitchens included. At Ryson Vacations, many of our Thanksgiving rentals come with impressive culinary spaces in place for our guests to enjoy, who are looking to serve up savory options of their own, or employ a private chef for the duration of their holiday stay. Either way, you’ll find that having access to spacious counters, custom cabinetry, cooking essentials, and high-end appliances makes the prospect of a traditional Thanksgiving meal on-site in Palm Springs that much more appealing. 
Book Your Thanksgiving Home Away from Home in Style
When you’re looking forward to a holiday away in Palm Springs this Thanksgiving, let the team at Ryson Vacations handle your accommodations so you can focus on the fun and adventure ahead. We’ll make sure you have everything you need to feel right at home upon arrival, and we always pair our impeccable property selections with world-class customer care. Reach out today to learn more and to get started turning travel plans into reality.